Plea deal being negotiated for Jeremiah Salamon, accused of having 'vast amounts of child pornography' on his computers

SPRINGFIELD – Lawyers are discussing a possible plea deal for West Springfield business owner Jeremiah J. Salamon as the investigators review the “vast amounts of child pornography” found on his computers, according to a prosecutor.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Steven Breslow said Monday FBI agents have discovered tens of thousands of images depicting child pornography so far in computer files seized from Salamon, the operator of Honey Do home repair business.

During a status conference in U.S. District Court, Breslow said the review is expected to be completed by January, and the results will be filed with the court and the defendant’s lawyer, Thomas J. Rooke of Springfield.

Investigators are also working with the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children to identify possible victims shown in the video and audio files, Breslow said.

If no plea deal is negotiated, a trial is expected to take three weeks, Breslow said.

Salamon, of 198 Chilson Road, pleaded innocent to a one-count indictment in September. He has been held in custody since his arrest in late July.

He faces up to 10 years in federal prison if convicted of possessing child pornography.

U.S. Magistrate Judge Kenneth P. Neiman scheduled the next hearing for Jan. 27 to allow the FBI to complete its review and the defense to conduct a mental health examination of Salamon.

A search of Salamon’s home computer in July turned up sexually explicit images of minors and adults, including sadistic sexual acts involving children who appeared to be between the ages of 1 and 5 years old, according to an affidavit filed by an FBI agent.

The investigation began when Salamon shared 313 images and video files with an undercover FBI agent in June, according to court records.

Salamon is the owner of Honey Do Projects, a home repair business incorporated in 2008, state records show. He is also listed as manager of J&A Investment Properties.